Name: Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour; 2 tsp cornstarch; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp salt; 2 cups (12 oz bag) semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided; 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature; 1¼ cups (267g) light brown sugar; ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/8 tsp almond extract; ¼ tsp pink gel food coloring; 1 cup drained & finely chopped maraschino cherries, plus extra for garnish

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 15 reviews

If you’re looking for a delightful twist on classic chocolate chip cookies, the Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. Bursting with juicy maraschino cherries and loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips, these cookies are a beautiful balance of sweet, tart, and rich flavors. The soft, chewy texture with vibrant pink hues makes them irresistible not just to the taste buds but also to the eyes. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, this recipe brings joy and a touch of whimsy to your cookie jar.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass measuring cup filled with a mixture of pink dough, dark brown chocolate chips, and bright red chopped cherries. The dough is soft and thick, with the chocolate chips and cherries evenly spread through it. The inside of the cup has some flour dusted along the edges, while the outside shows clear orange measurement markings. The measuring cup sits on a white marbled surface, and the photo is taken from above, showing all the ingredients clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting the ingredients right for this recipe is super simple, but each one plays a vital role in creating the perfect cookie. From the buttery base to the zingy cherry pieces, these ingredients combine to deliver a cookie that’s wonderfully textured, colorful, and flavorful.

All-purpose flour (3 cups / 360g): The structural foundation of your cookies, giving them that perfect chewiness when measured precisely.
Cornstarch (2 tsp): Helps keep the cookies tender and soft, balancing out the flour’s strength.
Baking soda (1 tsp): The leavening agent that ensures your cookies rise just right.
Salt (1/4 tsp): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups + extra): Provides rich chocolate bursts in every bite and the perfect finishing touch as garnish.
Unsalted butter (1 cup / 226g, room temperature): Adds richness and moisture to keep your cookies tender.
Light brown sugar (1¼ cups / 267g): Gives a deep molasses flavor and helps maintain a chewy texture.
Granulated sugar (¼ cup / 50g): Adds crispness and balances sweetness.
Large eggs (2): Bind the ingredients and contribute to softness.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Adds warm, aromatic undertones.
Almond extract (1/8 tsp): Compliments the cherries with a subtle nutty flavor.
Pink gel food coloring (¼ tsp): Makes these cookies visually stunning without altering the taste.
Maraschino cherries (1 cup, drained & finely chopped + extra): The star ingredient that delivers sweet juiciness and a festive pop of color.

How to Make Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients

Start by sifting together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. This step ensures even distribution of the leavening and salt, which is essential for consistent texture and flavor in every cookie.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a larger mixing bowl, beat the room temperature unsalted butter with both light brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed for about two minutes. Aim for a light, fluffy mixture; this aeration is key for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.

Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Extracts

Add in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Follow up with the vanilla and almond extracts to infuse layers of flavor, giving these cookies a luscious depth beyond your typical chocolate chip treat.

Step 4: Add Pink Gel Food Coloring

This is the fun part! Gradually blend in the pink gel food coloring to achieve your desired vibrant hue. I love using gel food coloring because it gives you that intense color without thinning the dough.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly mix in the flour mixture on low speed. The dough will become thick and sturdy, perfect for folding in the stars of this recipe – the chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips.

Step 6: Fold in Maraschino Cherries and Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the finely chopped maraschino cherries and one cup of chocolate chips. These ingredients add distinct pockets of juicy sweetness and rich chocolate that will make every bite memorable.

Step 7: Shape and Garnish the Cookies

Using a #40 cookie scoop (or about 2 tablespoons), form dough balls. Press extra chocolate chips and chopped cherries onto the outside of each cookie ball for that eye-catching finishing touch. Placing these on a lined cookie sheet, freeze for 30 minutes to help retain their shape during baking.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350ºF and bake the chilled cookies for 10-13 minutes. It’s important not to overbake—the cookies should look slightly underbaked when you take them out. This will keep them soft, chewy, and full of that lovely pink color that makes this Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe so special.

Step 9: Add Extra Chocolate Chips (Optional)

As soon as the cookies come out, press a few more chocolate chips into any sparse areas. This little touch keeps the cookies looking luscious and loaded with chocolate.

How to Serve Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

A close-up view of many round cherry chocolate chip cookies with a light red color, showing dark brown chocolate chips and bright red cherry pieces scattered on the surface and inside. The cookies are placed on a white marbled background with whole red cherries and extra dark chocolate chips around them. There are two white cups seen from above, one filled with white milk foam and the other with pink liquid. The cookies are stacked in some places, one in the center has a small piece bitten off, revealing a soft inside. The scene is brightly lit, showing the texture and shine on the cherries and chocolate chips. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For an extra festive flair, sprinkle a few whole maraschino cherries or extra chocolate chips on a serving plate next to the cookies. You can also lightly dust the cookies with powdered sugar for a subtle sweetness and pretty presentation.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert. If you want a drink pairing, a glass of cold milk is classic, but you might also enjoy a cup of rich hot chocolate or a fruity tea that complements the cherry notes.

Creative Ways to Present

Thinking outside the box, arrange these cookies into a colorful cookie platter mixed with red and white candies for holidays, Valentine’s Day, or parties. You can also sandwich two cookies with cream cheese frosting or cherry jam for a delightful twist, turning this Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe into a charming cookie sandwich.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Because maraschino cherries contain moisture, I recommend storing leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For best texture, avoid covering the cookies with plastic wrap directly on top, which can make them a bit soft.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully. Freeze the dough balls separately on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag to maintain shape integrity. When ready to bake, no need to thaw, just add an extra minute or two to the baking time. Alternatively, bake the cookies first, then freeze fully cooled cookies between layers of parchment paper.

Reheating

To revive the fresh-baked taste and texture, warm the cookies in a preheated oven at 300ºF for about 5-7 minutes. This brings back their soft, gooey charm and reactivates that fresh-from-the-oven aroma we all crave.

FAQs

Why do I need to chill the cookie dough?

Chilling the dough solidifies the butter, preventing the cookies from spreading too much while baking. It also allows the flavors, especially the maraschino cherries and extracts, to meld beautifully, resulting in a more flavorful cookie.

Can I use regular red food coloring instead of gel?

Gel food coloring is preferred because it adds vibrant color without thinning the dough. Regular liquid food coloring can alter the dough consistency and might yield a paler color, so gel is your best bet for bright pink cookies.

Are maraschino cherries necessary?

Yes, they are the signature ingredient in this Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Their sweetness and juiciness add a unique dimension that chocolate chips alone cannot provide. However, be sure to drain and finely chop them to prevent soggy dough.

How do I prevent the cookies from turning brown?

Keep a close eye on the baking time and remove the cookies when they look just slightly underbaked. Overbaking causes the vibrant pink color to fade and leads to a crispier texture, which might not be what you’re aiming for.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

To make a gluten-free version, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Keep in mind that texture might differ slightly, but the flavor profile will still shine through beautifully.

Final Thoughts

There is something so joyful about baking a batch of Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe that glows with color and bursts with flavor. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or enjoying a cozy afternoon treat, these cookies bring a fantastically fun combination of cherry sweetness and rich chocolate that feels like a celebration in every bite. Give this recipe a go—you won’t be able to stop at just one!